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“Actually, I can. It’s one of the perks of being me. You can’t run away and hide just because you heard things you don’t like. We should talk about this and work it out.” He leans against my window seat, and the arrogance rolls off him in waves.
“Work it out? We’re not working anything out, there’s no reason for it.”
“Is that what you think? Tell me something, Rory. What’s your relationship with Brendan
like?”
“Fuck you, Wade. I don’t owe you any kind of explanation or information.” I cross my arms in front of my chest and ignore his gaze.
“No, you don’t, but I’m curious about your dynamic anyway. You see, we’ve been watching for a long time, and I think your relationship is convenient. You guys look good together, he comes from a nice family, and he makes a lot of money, so he can keep you in the lifestyle you’re used to. Am I missing anything?”
“My relationship might have those things, but I love Brendan, and he loves me. We will be getting married soon, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Sure, your little plan here will probably postpone things a few weeks, but it’s inevitable. You’re wasting time.”
“You’re not marrying that walking nap of a man. I mean it, Rory. You think I’m playing when I say we’re going to keep you? I’m not.”
I can’t stand his attitude anymore, and I jump off the bed to stand in front of him. “Why do you fucking care, Wade? You don’t even know me!”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I do know you. I know that most people would break if they were kidnapped and had this stuff done to them. You’ve taken everything we’ve dished out and barely even blinked. You have a fire inside you, Rory, and it’s calling out to all of us. You need more than the life they want to give you. You’re going to get bored with Brendan within another year, if you aren’t there already.”
“Just because I’ve been able to handle this bullshit situation that you and that delusional fucking woman out there put me into does not mean this story ends with your happily ever after.
You don’t get to play with peoples’ lives like this and do whatever the fuck you want.”
“Says who? I think you’re mad because you know I’m right. You want that soft love? The boring shit that drives minivans and kills your soul? Do you want to wake up every morning knowing everything that’s going to happen that day? That will be your life. Is that what you want? Or do you want to be consumed with so much passion it fucking hurts? To have people that actually give a fuck about you and want you because you’re you, not what your family can give them. If you want that sad shit, then you’re right, we should let you go because it means you’re not strong enough for the real thing.” He steps forward and jabs his index finger over my heart.
“What part of all this was supposed to make me fall in love with you? When you abducted me? When you repeatedly drugged me? Is it the scheming and plotting behind my back that is supposed to make me weak in the knees? The disregard for the things I want? That must be it. This is how all great love stories start.”
“I know you’re upset about our methods, but they’re effective. I was against the idea to send the video to your family, but you know what? Now I think it’s exactly what needs to happen. You’re going to see for yourself.” There’s no way he can mean right this second, but he grabs my arm and drags me out of the room with him.
Everyone is still in the kitchen, but the mood is a lot darker than when we were eating earlier. They whip their heads in our direction, and Adler stands when he sees Wade’s grip on me.
“What’s going on? You okay, Princess?” He drapes himself next to the sink casually, but I see the concern in his expression.
“I’m fine. Wade here is the one with a fucking attitude problem.”
Wade lets out a sarcastic chuckle. “Sure, you tell yourself that, sweetheart. Gray? Send it. I want her to see you do it.”
“I can grab my laptop and bring it out, but are you sure? Not just about her watching, but are we sure this is what we want our next step to be?” Gray looks around the room at everyone, but his gaze rests on Mal.
Mal stretches dramatically and smiles. “It looks like Wade has made up his mind, and I support it. Henry has only just begun to suffer and pay for what he’s done. Now isn’t the time to go soft on him. It would be good for all of us to see how the Coles handle this.”
It clearly doesn’t matter what I think on the matter, but everyone else slowly nods their acceptance and agreement. Mal’s words don’t sit well with me either. What the fuck is that supposed to mean? It will be good for me to see how my family handles this latest attack, and it will remind me what I’m fighting to get home to. These fucking assholes can keep trying to drag me down, but I won’t let them. They can all get fucked, especially Mal.
Gray has already silently left and returned with his laptop, which he now places on the table and opens up while he sits. “I don’t think I need to waste a bunch of time explaining how
I’ve set this up to make it untraceable. They’ll never be able to track it back to us.”
“If you guys are in the video, someone will see your faces and figure out it was you. Plus, I know it was you. The video will be excellent evidence against you at the trial. So please, go right ahead and send it.” I smile big and wide for all to see.
“I was able to edit the footage, so none of our faces can be made out, but I appreciate you looking out for us, Little Bird.” Gray winks at me.
“Yeah, that’s what I was doing.” I roll my eyes back at him.
Wade moves to the table and lowers his voice. “Mal, I think it would be best if you left for the night. We have some things to work through here, and your presence is going to be a distraction.”
“Of course, dear. Eddie and I are staying at the condo for a few days. We can chat tomorrow and figure out whatever we need to do. Thank you so much for dinner. It really was delicious. And, Rory, I know you probably won’t agree with me now, but I’ve very much enjoyed our time together. I hope you’ll take some time to really think about everything you learned tonight. We aren’t the bad guys here.”
“Respectfully, Mal? Go fuck yourself.” Every single one of the guys tenses at my words, and Mal just laughs.
